Year in review
NETCC Council Chair, Clare Petre, provided insights into the Council’s year in review. Key points included:
- The NETCC Council meets quarterly and has completed much of its remit according to the original Memorandum of Understanding.
- Preparation to apply to the ACCC for reauthorisation of the Code has progressed. Consumer and industry consultation on the proposed amendments showed that the Code is functioning well, with no major concerns reported. The reauthorisation is essentially a ‘tidying-up’ exercise, and any major changes will be considered in conjunction with the 2026 independent review of the Code.
- Exploration of external dispute resolution pathways has continued with discussions with several state-based energy ombudsmen continuing. Funding arrangements to support this function also continue to be considered.
NETCC Monitoring and Compliance Panel Chair, Penelope Crossley, provided insights into the Panel’s year in review. Key points included:
- The Panel handled a range of complex appeals, including fraudulent claims and misleading conduct.
- Several Signatories were expelled or sanctioned after systemic breaches were found.
- Key challenges included managing complex appeals and balancing support with the enforcement of compliance. We are trying to balance compliance, protecting consumer interests and the impact on businesses.
- A priority has been put on providing a supportive approach to compliance that is balanced with a focus on helping businesses meet standards. Appeal and expulsion decisions can have significant commercial business impacts.
- The Panel proposed providing some training on compliance with and complaints handling under NETCC at All-Energy in October
NETCC Steward and Administrator representative, Ashleigh Dalmau, provided insights into their year in review. Key points included:
- The NETCC is clearly becoming a national benchmark for the standards expected in the new energy tech sector.
- There are currently 1,700+ signatories.
- The Administrator is working on raising awareness across the government sector of the Code to ensure departments and Ministers’ offices are aware of the value of the Code and its compliance and dispute resolution pathways.
- The regulatory environment for energy continues to shift regularly, with innovation, expansion, and other movements intersecting with the Code, which the Steward/Administrator continues to monitor and report on.
- Further work is being done by the Administrator to improve how education, compliance and enforcement are being delivered to the Code’s stakeholders.
Strategic planning
Council and Panel members discussed the desired 5-year outcomes for the Code, including expansion of the jurisdictional and technical scope, signatory accreditation, government programs mandating the Code, and the need for a clearly articulated decision-making framework for including ‘new energy tech’ under the Code.
Members would like to see the Code serving as a unifying national standard with the aim of growing consumer brand recognition like that of the Heart Foundation’s Red Tick program.
The meeting received feedback from a Signatory about his experience with the Code after his company was subject to several compliance investigations. He suggested that clearer information about what is expected, and early consultative communication will greatly improve the outcomes for all involved and the ongoing relationships with Signatories and the industry.
Independent review of the Code
The joint meeting noted that the independent review will follow the three-year anniversary of the Code in February 2026 and be delivered within six months. It was agreed that the review would cover the Code’s governance, structure, and processes and their impact. As outlined in the Code, the Monitoring and Compliance Panel will lead the development and management of the independent review project and work with the Administrator to support procurement processes.
Meeting closure
In their closing remarks, the Council and Panel Chairs agreed that the joint meeting should continue to be repeated annually.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the NETCC Council is to be held on 22 May 2025.
